The best cheap car insurance in Washington

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The average driver will pay about $924 per year for auto insurance coverage in Washington. That’s relatively affordable, considering that the average American pays $935 per year, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III).

Car insurance companies consider your location, age, gender, and driving record to calculate rates for premiums. Other factors like credit score, marital status, vehicle type, previous coverage, and miles driven can all play a role in the amount you’ll pay for coverage.

It’s helpful to shop around and find the best coverage for your money. 

Minimum car liability insurance requirements in Washington

In the US, drivers must have liability coverage. If you’re involved in an accident, liability insurance covers damage you cause to the other vehicle, driver, and passengers. If you finance or lease your car, your lender probably requires comprehensive and collision coverage. 

The two main components of liability insurance are bodily injury and property damage, which most states require. Liability insurance also includes uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage. This policy protects you when an at-fault driver hits you, and they have no coverage or not enough coverage.

Washington requires bodily and property coverage, according to data from the III. Washington’s minimum liability requirements are 25/50/10 — up to $25,000 of injury protection for each person involved in an accident, up to $50,000 worth of injuries per incident, and up to $10,000 of property damages per incident. 

Best cheap car insurance based on credit score in Washington

Consumer Reports compiled data on pricing formulas from all auto insurance companies in all states to figure out which companies offered the typical adult driver the best rates. Here are the three best companies in Washington by credit level, and the average premium each company offered a single adult driver:

Best car insurance for Washington drivers with a clean record

For a driver in Washington age 25 or older with no accidents and one vehicle, the following companies provide the best average rates:

*USAA is only for active military, veterans, and their families.

Above data obtained from Savvy, based on 2,132 policyholders in the state of Washington 

Best car insurance for Washington drivers with one or more accidents

For a driver in Washington age 25 or older, with one or more accidents and one vehicle, the following companies provide the best average rates:

Above data obtained from Savvy, based on 2,132 policyholders in the state of Washington 

Average premiums for seniors and teen drivers in Washington

The table below shows the average senior and teen drivers can expect to pay in Washington. Because teen drivers are new drivers with little driving history and more prone to accidents, their rates are high. Most insurance companies offer discounts to teen drivers for good grades or taking driving safety classes.

Senior drivers typically see an uptick in car insurance premiums as they age, but not as much of an increase as new or teen drivers. If you’re still driving in your 60s and 70s, there are ways to negotiate cheaper auto insurance rates, like pay-per-mile usage.

Data provided by Goosehead Insurance

Washington car insurance rates by city

Below is the estimated average annual premium of auto insurance policies per household in Washington’s most populous cities:

Data from S&P Global Market Intelligence

Best car insurance in Washington based on customer satisfaction

Customer satisfaction with car insurance providers may factor into your decision. Five factors make up customer satisfaction: billing process and policy information; claims; interaction; policy offerings; and price. According to a 2021 survey by J.D. Power, a consumer research company that surveys customers, these are the top car insurance companies in the Northwest region (which includes Washington):

Most popular car insurance companies in Washington based on market share 

The following are the most popular car insurance companies in Washington, based on the percentage of insured Washington drivers who use them:

*USAA is only for active military, veterans, and their families.

Data from S&P Global Market Intelligence

Who gets the best cheap car insurance in Washington? 

The better your credit score, the cheaper your car insurance.

Another way to save is to shop around. Every insurance company prices policies differently, and no two policies are the same. Prices vary greatly depending on whether you get liability, comprehensive, or collision coverage.

Consider the amount of coverage and the types of coverage listed on your quote. Remember, you’re looking for the most coverage for your money. Don’t forget to look at the deductible or the amount you’ll pay out of pocket if you get into an accident.

This content was originally published here.